CRICKET.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1246, 5 March 1914, Page 24

CRICKET.

(By “MID-ON.”) The second series of matches in connection with the closing round of the premiership competition, drawn during the week, began last Saturday, under most favourable weather circumstances. In each match an innings was completed, and in three out of four the result is practically beyond doubt. Better batting performances were expected from the teams that had 'first use of the wickets, but the best scoring was accomplished by the teams that lost the toss, with the exception of the match at Devon port. Ponsonby, with 147 for two wickets, should have little difficulty in securing a victory over Grafton, who scored 176. After their brilliant victory over North Shore, Waitemata could only muster 143, while Eden A have scored 94 for the loss of one wicket. At Victoria Park, University could only make 112, while Eden B collected 128. North Shore made the respectable total of 296 against Parnell.

No ; centuries were recorded last Saturday, the highest score of the day being registered by C. Dacre (North Shore), a fourteen-year-old schoolboy, who reached 72. Other scores of note were N. C. Snedden (Ponsonby) 64, C. Snedden (Ponsonby) 63, W. Horspool (Grafton) 60, F. L. Prime (North Shore) 53, Wallace (North Shore) 51. There were no sensational bowling averages beyond Kavanagh’s five wickets for 53.

At Devonport, four juniors were included in the eleven, viz., Dacre, Wallace, McArthur, and Nettleton, owing to the absence of Sale, Archer and Bush. Hov den had sufficient confidence to send a couple of juniors, McArthur and Nettleton' to the wickets. The former had compiled a centurj' in second grade cricket in the previous match. The batsmen took no liberties with the bowling, and runs came slowly. Nettleton (15) was first to go, and McArthur (18) left at 47. Howie joined Prime, but neither batsman forced the pace. With 100 runs on the board, which had taken one hour and a-quarter to compile, Howie was bowled. His runs were mostly the outcome of boundaries on the off-side, and he found the chalk line seven times. The cricket was never slower than when Prime and Wallace became associated. The former watched the bowling carefully, but when hitting seemed to mistime the pace of the ball. However, in his score of 53 were seven boundaries and no fewer than nineteen singles. In attempting to hit to leg he pulled the ball on to his wicket. The best partnership ensued when the other two juniors, Wallace and Dacre, were at the wickets. The former had scored seventeen, including thirteen singles, when Dacre arrived, and immediately afterwards gave Doble a chance, which was not accepted. It proved an expensive mistake. Next over Somervell had an opportunity, and although he went through the preliminaries correctly failed to connect with the wicket in trying to stump Dacre, who had only made eight. The total had reached 222 at 5.15 p.m., when Wallace was thrown out in attempting a short run off a square-cut by Dacre. Wallace’s 51 consisted of eight 4’s, one 2 and 17 singles. It was a patient innings, with only one blemish. Howden joined the lad, but twenty runs later was clean bowled by Somervell. Tattersail followed, but met with a similar fate from a swerving ball. Stewart did not last long, and Rankin joined Dacre, but the latter’s time had come, Somervell doing the damage. Dacre gave the brightest display of all. He got to the slow stuff of Stephens’, but did not have sufficient strength to punish it. With the fast bowling he was more at home, and made some beautiful off strokes. At present when cutting he has a tendency to get too much over the ball, and therefore takes off a lot of the pace when it touches the ground, but a little more length—and there is plenty of time for it, too—will enable him to remedy the defect and produce more runs. Townshend came in and hit and was then out leg before to the New Zealand representative.

It cannot be said that Parnell’s bowling was collared, as no liberties could be taken with it, and though runs came more freely towards the end there was some compensation, as wickets fell too. Somervell changed from wicketkeeper to bowler and with the assistance of a swerve

wound up with four wickets for 43. Anthony (one for 31) required a lot of watching, and at one time had bowled nine overs, five of which were maidens, tor nine runs and one wicket. The fielding of Parnell was very good. Moore was the particular star, and the lightweight saved many runs in the field. EDEN B V. UNIVERSITY. University were again to be, seen in action on Victoria Park on Saturday last, and yet another small score was credited to this team as the result of their first innings’ effort. It was generally anticipated that Eden B would fall fairly easy victims to Varsity, and as the former turned out short-handed—a very common occurrence—and the latter were at full strength, there was every reason for supposing that victory would go to the students. University batted first, and the collapse of the team —112 being the grand total —is difficult to account ror. There was nothing in Eden B’s bowling to account for such a poor batting display, the students possessing batsmen who should have, among them, put up at least twice the total tney did.

The wicket, which, perhaps, appeared difficult, was reany better than it was thought to be and played well, so that ’varsity have not Hie satisfaction of referring to me wicket when seeking a reason for tneir downfall. No doubt the unusual and unexpected failure of tfie opening pair of batsmen, Airey and Caradus; somewhat upset the calculations oi the remainaer of the team —au least some of them —and perhaps "nerves” may be safely blamed.

’Varsity took first strike, Mills and M. Gilmour bowling from the eastern and western ends respectively. Trouble soon loomed in sight for the students, Gilmour beating Airey with a beautiful ball that just got the legstump, while Caradus, a few minutes later, touch one from Mills to wicketkeeper J. Alexander, and two wickets had fallen for no runs.

Player and Rowe became partners, but after the former had secured three he hit weakly at a full-toss from Gilmour and that bowler held the return —three wickets for 5. With Perry and Rowe associated came the first stand of the innings. The former soon became aggressive, playing clean, crisp cricket, and this young player gave a really fine display. Rowe was more cautious, being content to keep his end up. Both batsmen were unfortunate in being given out 1.b.w., Perry, who had hit three fours, securing top score with 34, and Rowe 19. Four wickets were down for 42, and five had fallen for 49. Bennett, for Eden B, had relieved Gilmour, and accounted for Perry and Rowe, his delivery appearing to be very deceptive. Sutherland had hardly opened, when, in reaching forward to one from “Ike” Mills, J. Alexander, at the wickets, found him. wanting and removed the bails.

Neither F. Taylor nor Gray made prolonged stays, Bennett being hit hard to the outneld by the former and nicely taken by McDauchlin, while the latter was caught by Mills off his own bowling. ’Varsity’s position now appeared very unpromising, for though Graham had been pegging away, keeping his end up, he was receiving little support. Runs came very slowly, and it .appeared very unlikely that the students’ total would find the centhe rescue, and backed up his captury. However, Vickerman came to tain, so that the score gradually crept beyond three figures. Graham opened out and brought off one or two good pulls and drives. Vickerman, after securing eleven, played one back to Bennett, and Graham, after being joined by Fenwick, hitting hard, lifted one from Mills to McLauchlin at longoff, and ’Varsity were out for 112, Graham having secured 23, chiefly by patient cricket. For Eden B, Bennett 4 for 37, I. Mills 4 for 53, and M: Gilmour 2 for 16 divided the bowling honours, all being treated with considerable respect by the ’Varsity batsmen. Eden opened with Eaton and Punch to the bowling of Taylor and Player. Punch went early, after seeing Eaton secure most of the runs, falling a victim to Player. McDauchlin failed to make a start, Taylor beating him, and two wickets were down for 29. With Gilmour’s advent runs came freely, both Eaton and Gilmour batting aggressively. Eaton departed, howled by Fenwick, when his score was 36. J. Alexander also fell to Fenwick, and then Gilmour and I,

Mills partnered. This partnership placed fljden B in a very promising position, the score mounting rapidly, mills in particular playing very aggressive cricket. Some oi ms strokes to the oil were very powerful, the sups particularly Being kept very much alive. After compiling a useful zs, Gilmour was caught by Sutherland off Perry, and C. itooinson joined mills in tne next profitable partnersnip. notn Datsmen attacked the cowling iearlessly and carried the total well beyond ’Varsity’s score, so tnat wnen time was called Eden B nad 128 up, Mills and Robinson being me not outs with 36 apiece. Eden B's batting was characterised by greater agressweness than was mat oi 'varsity, and the first-named team is evidently making one of its nest efforts of the season. The match at present is in an interesting position, though in favour oi Eden B, and it remains to be seen whether tnat team can secure a threepoint win as the result of their efforts. ’Varsity’s bowling lacked the sting of the previous matcn against Ponmiiby, no nowier meeting with much access. Eden Fant was tne convincing ground for two important fixtures on bMurday last, Eden a meeting vVaiLemata ana Gratton trying conclusions wxtii ronsonoy. Waite at a v. eden a. This iixture was piayed on No. 1 wicket, there being a fair crowu oi spectators to waxen tne varying fortunes oi the teains. W,aiteniata took strike on a fast, true wiener, Honeycombe and Tayior constituting tne opening attack tor Eden a&amst Ridden and Templeton. Alter putting on a couple oi dozen, Tayior round a weak spot in Riddell's defence, clean bowling him when his total was one short of aouble iigures. P. Dunning nlled the vacancy; the left-hanaer piayed forward to practically everything, but failed to get tne wood on as usual.

Tempieton exhibited indifferent foim against Tayior, the New Zealand representative tying him down to the crease, and then, with ms total at 13, neat him ail tne way. Tayior was maintaining a line length and nipping snarpiy off tne pitch—2 for 42. Aroiaoter collected a brace, .md then got teg before to Cummings, who nad come on at the Euen end. C. ivioller joined Dunning, the play dragging on slowly with the bowlers keeping the upper hand. The Eden skipper allowed no respite. Frequent changes were made in the bowiing, and no sooner had the batsman accustomed himself to one trundier than another took his place, invariably, to meet with much success.

The Moller-Dunning partnership did not prevail long, Cummings getting his second wicket per medium of Buckley, who juggled with and held a good catch at the wickets. When loung joined Moller great things were expected, but the tall left-hander did not get really going. After making one or two beautiful Ransford leghits, and carrying his total to fifteen, Sauverin, who had replaced Cummings,, found his timbers with a fast one which the batsman tried to glance.

Moller still pegged away quietly. Five wickets were thus down for 69. Sauverin was in desperate mood, claiming Dunning’s scalp with his next ball —6 for 69. The advent of Satchell caused a temporary boom in the Waitemata scrip, this player showing more freedom than his club mates and getting well to the pitch of the ball- Moller, mainly by off drives and an occasional boundary, helped to carry the total to the century. His play was not characteristic of him, being distinctly cramped throughout. Mayall (19 not out) was the only other batsman to make a stand, and he played the bowling with extreme confidence, his square cuts being especially sweet. Langsford and K. Moller failed to register, the innings closing for 143. From the commencement of hostilities it was apparent that the members of the younger team were suffering from stage fright. Their play was extremely cramped, several of the batsmen appearing to be satisfied to let the ball hit the bat. When they did hit, it was in a half-hearted manner, with the result that scoring was deplorably slow . ' -

The Eden attack was well handled, while the fieldsmen did not let up at any time during the innings. Taylor (5 for 41) bowled with fine judgment and puzzled the batsmen

throughout, his break and over-spin proving very effective. Cummings and Sauverin also did good work with the ball. The task set Eden was not very formidable —143 on a good wicket. Hemus and Taylor opened the suburbanite's innings, both players immediately getting to work. The former gave tne impression that he underrated the opposition, and as a result mis-timed an off break and chopped it on to his wicket —1 for 13-, Brooke-Smith and Taylor then became associated, tne pair giving a most excellent exhibition of forceful cricket. Taylor frequently found the boundary with beautiful off drives, while Smith glanced, cut and hit in great form, in his total of 34 were three sixes-—ail beautiful hits. One ball on tne leg side dropped on the picket fence in front of the main stand and lemained firmly wedged between the tops of two pickets. With 94 on the slate for one wicket, Eden appear to nave the match well in hand.

Messrs. Hamblin and Ellis acted as umpires and gave complete satisfaction.

GRAFTON v. PONSONBY.

Grafton met Ponsonby on No. 2 wicket, the former taking first strike on a hard wicket. Horspool and Sloman opened to Kavanagh and Snedden. Sloman failed to get on to one Lorn Kavanagh and retired without scoring.

Horspool was joined by MacCormick, but the former, when one short of the dozen, was mean bowled by a fast, low one from Kavanagh. Two wickets tor under twenty runs was lar from promising. W- Horspool then partnered MacCormick, both players rattling on the runs. When well set tne latter was given out caugnt at tne wickets —a uoubtful decision.

D. Hay, tne incomer, joined W. Hurspoui ami the partnership of the aay resuitea. The former gave a taste cf his old-time brilliance in his cOtai ci as, on uriving in line style, may lookea gooa lor a century when ne niis-nu a Teg bail trom xvavanagh, jmobinson eneccing an easy catch.

vv. Horspool continued in hitting moou, driving ffaru to tne dary and swinging lorceimiy on to Snedden s leg stun. F. Horspool, Hui ana inuraocn nad brief lives, mu xxaresnape ana Wix-is, especially rue iormer, put on runs rapidij. vvitn ms totai at 36, snephera beat mm with a straight ball whicn tne catsman was expecting to break. Harvey joined w ufis, out failed to hit a run toss com aneaaen wmch. scattered nn Wickets, the innings closing tor .nor onsonoy opened with tne aneaaen Bros, to Hai esnape and Harvey. Ha. esnape s nrst ball was returned by G. anedaen to tne bowier, but ne aropped an easy cnance, tne mistake being a costly one ior Gratton. Tne Ronsonoy piayers were keen on run getting, and took advantage of every hit. Harvey proved troublesome, and two chances were missed in t±.e slips off him. N. Snedden was exhibiting fine form,, timing in good style and using his feet well to tne slow oowler. The New Zealand repxesentative’s work all round tne wicket was delightfully crisp, and the batsman seemed rarely at fault.

C. Snedden attacked the bowling n fine, free style, but still the luck was. all with him. His Lest work was, shown on the leg side, where he made good use of a forcing leg shot. NSnedden was the first to go, being well take at the wickets off E. Flors pool. Only one possible chance could be debited to the batsman, a chance at the wickets off Harvey.

Like all great partnerships, when one batsman goes, the other generally io.lows quickly. This proved to be the case on Saturday. N.. Snedden was caught at the wickets, and next, over C. Snedden fell a victim to an easy catch by Hay off Harvey, who--had come on at the Kingsland end. Woods (16 not but) and Worker played out time, so that Ponsonby have now a certain two-point win in sight, and a possible chance of the extra point.

Messrs. Gallagher and Barry acted as umpires-

Grafton’s bowing attack and the placing of the field were far from satisfactory. Harvie should never have been taken off. He was bowling remarkably well, and had had two chances missed off him in the slips. Willis, who is in for his bowling, was not even tried, while others,, who might be termed ‘‘chance bowlers,” were tried with disastrous resqlts,